Meditations: A New Translation (Modern Library Classics)

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Today I escaped my anxiety. Or no, I discarded it, because it was within me, in my own perceptions – not outside. Meditations by Marcus Aurelius If you're looking to study Stoicism as a whole, I would like to recommend not starting with this. Most of Aurelius' words are built upon centuries of other stoic philosophers, and there are themes related to Stoicism that need a precursor. The idea of Logos being chief among them. I will say it's the pinnacle of Stoic thought, but that is what makes it a terrible starting point.

Meditations: A New Translation [EPUB] [4lkf510vrm00] Meditations: A New Translation [EPUB] [4lkf510vrm00]

Meditations touches on much of the human condition. And I can respect that Marcus is sometimes trying to talk himself off a ledge. To remind himself to be the leader that he wants to be.And while I found Meditations to be profound at times, I also found it to be a frustrating read to really dive into, and downright depressing at times. The forward warned: Life happens" is a very stoic modern phrase, and I think it sums it up fairly well. Of course there's more to Stoicism, but a constant theme throughout Meditations is the need to not push against the flow of life; to accept what "Nature" has done. Your car breaks down? Well, getting upset about it is causing you unnecessary suffering and grief. Accept what life has thrown at you and move on with it. Alexander Pope said, "whatever is, is right." On one hand, it’s amazing to see the inner thoughts of an historical figure. Seeing these thoughts humanizes him. You see the struggles he encounters and they are not so different than what we struggle with today. Additionally, a few of the meditations really spoke to me. I will likely reread in the future and dive deeper into these thoughts. Can’t you see? It’s just the same with you-and just as vital to nature. Meditations by Marcus Aurelius Be kind to others. Treat others the way you want to be treated. Be kind and compassionate, even to those who are different from you.

Meditations: A New Translation (Modern Library) Kindle Edition Meditations: A New Translation (Modern Library) Kindle Edition

When you need encouragement, think of the qualities the people around you have: this one’s energy, that one’s modesty, another’s generosity, and so on . Nothing is as encouraging as when virtues are visibly embodied in the people around us, when we’re practically showered with them. It’s good to keep this in mind. Stop whatever you’re doing for a moment and ask yourself: Am I afraid of death because I won’t be able to do this anymore? Meditations by Marcus Aurelius There is a strange dichotomy to Meditations. There is great wisdom to be had while also containing rambling nonsense. The thing you have to understand is that this book is a series of entries some guy made of his, sometimes completely random, thoughts. Conceitedly, that's basically what philosophy is. Forced perspective in written form. And, as with the rest of the human race, not every thought is a winner. Accept what you cannot control. There are many things in life that we cannot control. Don't waste your time and energy trying to control things that are out of your control. Instead, focus on the things that you can control. Few ancient works have been as influential as the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius, philosopher and emperor of Rome (A.D. 161–180). A series of spiritual exercises filled with wisdom, practical guidance, and profound understanding of human behavior, it remains one of the greatest works of spiritual and ethical reflection ever written. Marcus’s insights and advice—on everything from living in the world to coping with adversity and interacting with others—have made the Meditations required reading for statesmen and philosophers alike, while generations of ordinary readers have responded to the straightforward intimacy of his style. For anyone who struggles to reconcile the demands of leadership with a concern for personal integrity and spiritual well-being, the Meditations remains as relevant now as it was two thousand years ago.Forgive yourself and others. Holding on to anger and resentment will only hurt you in the long run. Forgive yourself and others so that you can move on with your life. It doesn’t bother you that you weight only x or y pounds and not three hundred. Why should it bother you that you have only x or y years to live and not more? You accept the limits placed on your body. Accept those placed on your time. Meditations by Marcus Aurelius